To MSCE or not?

rogue2shadow

Hey guys,

I am back in a position where I want to master everything lol. This is more of a resumé booster question. Here's the rationale:

I have very little server experience and I am, at some point soon, going to start looking to learn windows server. I currently have my CCNA and will most likely wear out the associate level certs for renewals and maybe jump into the pro level post my InfoSec journey. Would it be worth it to shoot for the MSCE:Security exams? The only real drives I have for attaining this status is its a permanent certification and it will force me to learn the windows server skills I am lacking. The thing that puts me on the edge is that this means about 5 more MS exams (cost) and I am not really sure if this will affect or even enhance my chances at higher level jobs in InfoSec (post following 8570).

Any advice would be much appreciated.

phantasm

Some of the MCSE exams are expired or expiring so if you do not have it started then I wouldn't do it. I plan to pursue the MCITP:SA just for my own interest and because a lot of Net Admin roles want someone with AD experience as well as networking.

za3bour

I see in your future plan that you're gonna continue your Cisco route so do you really have enough time/and or money to continue with both routes ? and MCSE:S will be retired at some time so maybe it's better to take the MCITP even though it doesn't have a security path.

If I were you and do have time I will go for whatever cert I can do too bad I can't

Iristheangel

I would say go for it. I've been working on my MCSE since January and have knocked out my MCSA first and have three more tests until the MCSE and at that point I'll take the extra test for the MCSE:Security. Since Server 2003 is still used widely and more employers know what an MCSE is over an MCITP, it still has it's uses. Plus it's only two exams after that to upgrade to a MCITP:EA so you can show that on your resume as well.

I vote for getting it personally.

JoJoCal19

Iristheangel wrote: »

I would say go for it. I've been working on my MCSE since January and have knocked out my MCSA first and have three more tests until the MCSE and at that point I'll take the extra test for the MCSE:Security. Since Server 2003 is still used widely and more employers know what an MCSE is over an MCITP, it still has it's uses. Plus it's only two exams after that to upgrade to a MCITP:EA so you can show that on your resume as well.

I vote for getting it personally.

I am going to second what you said since I posed a similar question in the MS forum section and received a lot of help. After researching it more I did find that the core exams will probably not be going anywhere anytime soon. Only a few of the electives have been retired and it was much older technology.

The big thing I found was that employers are still looking for that MCSE on your resume. And as stated above its easy to get the MCITP:EA afterwards. I'm about to knock out the A+ so I will have an elective towards my MCSA and then the 280.

Mojo_666

phantasm wrote: »

Some of the MCSE exams are expired or expiring so if you do not have it started then I wouldn't do it. I plan to pursue the MCITP:SA just for my own interest and because a lot of Net Admin roles want someone with AD experience as well as networking.

+1

Dive in to the MCITP's

Bl8ckr0uter

I think that IF you are ok with doing 6-9 MS test (MCSE:S, MCITP:SA) to get both then I say go for it. I personally think that IF I was going to go for some MS test, I would probably do MCSA then MCITP:SA or EA. I have looked at the MCSA of them are things that I would actually see in my job. If I look at the full MCSE then its more like 40 percent. I personally think that for what you have said about your future job, you probably shouldn't do it but hey, more power to you if you do. You resume will be much better than mine lol

Bl8ckr0uter

Tell you what though. If you go for the MCSE I will at least go for the MCSA with you. You will at least have a buddy for the first 3 exams lol. Plus i'm thinking about MCTS:SQL Server 2k5 for my job so I will go with you for 4 test. What do you think?

Psoasman

You could do the MCSA:Security and then upgrade to the MCITP:SA/EA. Even if MS retires the exams, the knowledge you gain does not.